• Arts & Sciences
• Biology
• Undergraduate Program
• For Current Students
• Student Funding and Awards
• Beckman Scholars
• Selection

How to Apply

Selection of Beckman Scholars

In accordance with the terms of the Beckman Foundation, only those students who will be working in the laboratory of mentors designated in the funded grant will be eligible to apply for and receive a Beckman Scholarship. Current mentors include:

Biology: Lizabeth Allison, Daniel Cristol, Mark Forsyth, Paul Heideman, Shanta Hinton, Oliver Kerscher, Margaret Saha, Diane Shakes, John Swaddle
Chemistry: Elizabeth Harbron, Robert Hinkle, Lisa Landino, J.C. Poutsma, Jonathan Scheerer, Douglas Young

In addition, Beckman Scholars must:

• Be rising juniors or seniors
• Have a 3.75 GPA
• Must commit to work on the project at W&M for two consecutive summers full time (a minimum of ten weeks, 40 hours per week) as well as part-time (15-20 hours per week) during the intervening academic year; the work must be carefully documented in a notebook.
• Be willing and able to attend the Beckman Symposium in the summer following their junior and/or senior years (typically held in early August)

The focus of the Foundation is on promoting careers in research, therefore applications from students who are pursuing a Ph.D. will be given preference.

If you have students who would like to apply for this program please have them send the following materials to [[mssaha,Margaret Saha]] as a single PDF via email no later than March 12th:

1. A formal research proposal of no more than 1500 words.
2. A personal statement of career plans and how the Beckman Scholarship will enhance those plans.
3. A description of past research experiences.
4. An unofficial transcript.
5. A CV

In addition, three letters of recommendation from faculty members in STEM fields should be submitted directly to [[mssaha,Margaret Saha]] (not as part of the PDF).

The evaluation committee will consist of the Chairs of Biology and Chemistry, two members from each of those departments, and one of the Deans (if available). In addition, Rob Hinkle and Margaret Saha will serve ex officio. Please feel free to contact [[mssaha,Margaret Saha]] or [[rjhink,Rob Hinkle]] if you have any questions.